Axle



Jan. 6, 1931.

c. M. RICHLEY 1,787,454

AXLE

Filed Feb. 20, 1926 Patented Jan. 6, 1931 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES M. RICHLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AXLE- .Applicationfiled February 20, 1926. Serial No. 89,667.

the axle or shaft. As shown, the bearings 14.-

This invention relates to axles and more particularlyjtoan axle of the segmental typ It contemplates more especially the proa vision of a straight axle or shaft comprising segments which are readily replaceable at little expense in the event that breakage should occur in any of the segments.

Numerous types of axles are in use, and

18 due to the stresses exerted thereon, breaks usually occur adjacent the wheel support or hearing member which necessitate the replacement of the entire axle. This is objectionable in that replacements are expensive 15 and require a great deal of time which renders the vehicle or other structure carried thereby useless while'repairs are being made.

One object of the present invention is to simplify and improve the construction of de- 90 vices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive segmental structure which is easily assembled and which facilitates replacement of segments with little difliculty.

Q Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an axle embodying features of the present invention.

, Figure 2 is a plan view of the axle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a segment of the axle illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is afragmental perspective view of a casing shown in section in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmental view of the complementary section of the casing shown in Figure 5.

The axle selected for illustration comprises two complementary elongated members 10 and 11 which, in this instance, are wedgeshaped and terminate at opposite ends in a reduced portion 12 and 13, respectively. Suitable bearings or supports 14 and 15 are integrally fixed to the extremities 12 and 13, respectively, of the segments constituting and 15 are in alignment when the segments 10 and 11 are assembled, and secured to each other, thereby making possible the reception of wheels thereon, which support the axle comprising the interfitting members 10 and 11. Collars 16 and 17 are provided on the extremities of the members 10 and 11 adjacent the bearings to limit the inward movement of the wheels thereon, whereas the free ends of the bearings are provided with re- A duced threaded portions 18 and 19 to receive suitable means for limiting the outward movement of the wheels, thereby preventing axial movement of the wheels. It is to be noted that other forms of bearings may be employed so that the axle or shaft may be used to support a stationary as well as a moving structure.

In order to retain the members 10 and 11 in rigid relation, the contacting inclined faces 20 and 21 defining the wedge, are provided with a mortise or inter-fitting joint consisting of a trapezoidal tongue 22 and a correspondingly shaped groove 23 adapted to cooperate therewith, whereby the members 10 and 11 are secured to each other. As shown, the joint extends throughout the length'of the inclined face of the wedge-shaped members 10 and 11 which are united thereby.

A reinforcing casing 24: constituting the sections 25 and 26, is adapted to embrace the members 10 and 11. To prevent longitudinal movement between the complementary segments 10 and 11, the casing 24 is provided with alternately arranged ribs 27 on the interior thereof to fit in transverse grooves 28 provided in the members 10 and 11 so that the latter are maintained in fixed longitudinal relation as well as reinforced to sustain to receive cotter pins in the usual manner,

i which insures against the loosening and the '11 are split in crossed planes so that the joints may not materially weaken the structure along any definite plane. The casing 24 tightly embraces the sections and 11 7 when the nuts 31 are tightened, owing to the j I 6 fact that one face of the'casingfli is provided with'tapered, overlapping flanges and 33 which exert a 'wedging action on the; I

shaped to lit and receive said rib thereby permitting of longitudinal separation of said axle, thereby providing a segmental axle having the rigidity of an integral, unitary'struc'-' tore" The Shaft m y be'secured wa me or v a vehicle in any suitableinanner preferably through springs 34 and "35 which are secured thereto, in this instance, by means ofith'e usual U-shaped clamps 3flpro'vided for that purpose; v i T Various changes may be made in the em-V bodiment of the invention herein specifica ly described without departing from or sacriflcin'g any of the advantages of the invention t as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: 7 1. In a device of the character described, an axle comprising cooperating sections, interfittingmeans on the adjacent taces or said sections, a twopart casing for embrac- 111g said sections, each part of said casing 7 having an inclinedlongitudinal flange on overlapping flange; binding bolts extending transversely vthrough said sectional casing and said memone side, said flanges overlapping when the casing is assembled andmeans extending through said axle and said twopart casing for securing them together.

i 2. A device of the character described comrising complementary separable axle memsitely disposed overlapping wedge-shaped flanges, and means for effecting cooperation of said flanges to exert a binding Wedging action on said axle membersforsecuring them in place.

tional casingand said members to eitect cooperation of said overlapping iflanges to exert a binding wedging action on said axle members for securing them in place. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature at 10 South La Salle- Street, Chicago, Ill.

CHARLES M.- RICHLEY.

" ers having inclined adjacent faces arranged being provided with a longitudinal dove-tail rib and the other face with a slotshaped'to fit and receive said rib thereby permitting of longitudinal separation of said members but preventing lateral separation thereof; a

vertically and extending substantially the full length of said axle, one of sa'id'faces sectional casing enclosing said members'and each sectlon having an oppositely disposed Wedge-shaped longitudinal bers for drawing the casing sections together to cause said overlapping flanges to cooperateto bind said axle members and transverse faces being provided with a longitudinal dove-tail rib and the other face having a slot shaped to fit and receive said rib; a sectional casing enclosing said members having oppo- 

